Tight end Dae’Quan Wright, recently waived by the Cleveland Browns, is reportedly nearing an agreement to return to college football for a fifth season at Louisiana State University. If cleared, Wright would play for LSU coach Lane Kiffin, under whom he played for the past two seasons at Ole Miss.
Wright was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in April before being waived and subsequently joining the Browns. His potential return to college marks a significant development following recent eligibility rulings that could allow professional athletes to resume their collegiate careers.
Browns head coach Todd Monken commented on the situation, noting Wright's absence from practice due to a medical issue. "I don’t even know what to say. As far as I know, he’s had a medical issue that wasn’t allowing him to practice," Monken said. He also mentioned Kiffin's prior contact: "I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out to me a week ago, now I know."
Wright is among three players on NFL rosters who have been granted a temporary restraining order by a Louisiana state court, allowing them to return to college. This move comes after the NCAA revised its eligibility rules this offseason, enabling athletes to compete for five seasons within a five-year period. However, athletes from the high school Class of 2022, who completed their fourth year under the previous system, were not automatically included in the new framework. The legal battles surrounding these eligibility decisions have been ongoing.
This situation echoes that of Charles Bediako, a 7-footer who joined the Alabama basketball team midway through the season after three years in the G League. Bediako's return to college was met with controversy, and he was ineligible for the final weeks of the season, including the NCAA tournament.